HERITAGE SUNDAY or ALDERSGATE SUNDAY?

There is some confusion over these two days on the United Methodist calendar, especially since the 2004 General Conference moved Heritage Sunday's observance to coincide with Aldersgate Day (May 24) or the Sunday preceding, which may also be observed as Aldersgate Sunday. (See The Book of Discipline, para. 265.1)

"HERITAGE SUNDAY provides an opportunity for reflection on heritage, celebration of where the Church has been, how it understands itself as it shapes us today, and the meaning of Christian conferencing. Heritage Sunday calls the Church to remember the past by committing itself to the continuing call of God." Each year there is a theme provided by the General Commission on Archives and History. Resources available at:
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader_id=14004_id=9,32,53

ALDERSGATE DAY (May 24; may be observed the preceding Sunday) is the commemoration of the day John Wesley felt his "heart strangely warmed," and the day he experienced confirmation of his salvation by the grace of God. Resources are available in The United Methodist Book of Worship (439) and on The GBOD worship-preaching-music Web site:
http://www.gbod.org/worship/worship/articles.asp?act=reader_id=15727_id=9,32,50

Hymn: "Best of All Is God Is With Us"
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default_body.asp?act=reader_id=13863

Additional resources from the Methodist Church of Great Britain:
http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=pandw.content=784

Local churches are free to decide how to observe one or both of these dates.

Dean McIntyre
Director of Music Resources,
The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church
PO Box 340003;
Nashville TN 37203-0003
Toll free telephone: 877-899-2780, ext 7073
Fax: 615-340-7015
Website: http://www.umcworship.org
Email Address: music@gbod.org

Worship and Music Resources for May Observances from The General Board of Discipleship

MOTHERS DAY (May 14)
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=16253

ARMED FORCES DAY (May 20)
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=7581&loc_id=739

HERITAGE SUNDAY/DAY (May 21/24)
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=14004&loc_id=9,32,53

ALDERSGATE SUNDAY/DAY (May 21/24)
http://www.gbod.org/worship/worship/articles.asp?act=reader&item_id=15727&loc_id=9,32,50

http://www.gbod.org/worship/default_body.asp?act=reader&item_id=13863

ASCENSION DAY/SUNDAY (May 25/28)
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=16221&loc_id=1,612,32,50

http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=15794&loc_id=9,32,50

http://www.gbod.org/worship/TextOnly.asp?item_id=13877

http://www.gbod.org/worship/lectionaryhymns/052806hymns.asp

MEMORIAL DAY (May 29)
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=14159